On February 23, 2024, the Department of Telecommunications (Ministry of Information and Communications) issued a notice on the implementation of a solution to prevent new uncertified 2G mobile phones from connecting to mobile telecommunications networks in Vietnam.
Block non-standard 2G mobile phones
The announcement from the Department of Telecommunications has requested that from March 1, 2024, mobile businesses will not be allowed to import new networks with mobile phones that only support 2G technology and are not on the List of 2G phones certified to comply with regulations announced by the Ministry of Information and Communications (Department of Telecommunications).
Users can look up these device models at the link: https://tqc.gov.vn/2g-only.
At the same time, mobile telecommunications businesses are responsible for widely communicating the implementation of solutions to control and prevent connections to this mobile telecommunications network to their customers; at the same time, publicizing information on contact points for resolving customer complaints.
The announcement of the Ministry of Information and Communications also clearly stated that people with questions and complaints about 2G phones not being able to connect to the network should call the customer care center of the mobile business for support and guidance.
In case you need the coordination of the Department of Telecommunications regarding the types of 2G Only phones that are certified to comply with regulations, please contact the Department of Telecommunications' contact point:
- Mr. Le Huu Duc (Telecommunications Quality Measurement Center): 0236.3583223 – extension 401, Email: [email protected].
- Mr. Pham Thanh Binh (Telecommunications Quality Measurement Center): 024.39436608 – extension 08001. Email: [email protected].
This is considered the latest move to realize the policies and directions to stop 2G mobile technology, popularize smartphones to promote Digital Economy and Digital Society that have been issued in recent times.
Before the official announcement of the Ministry of Information and Communications on preventing non-compliant 2G phones from joining new networks, some network operators such as Viettel, VinaPhone, MobiFone proactively notified customers, recommending to quickly check whether the SIM and phone they are using support 4G or not to make the earliest conversion.
At the same time, major network operators in Vietnam also accompany customers in the process of "upgrading" to 4G through many attractive incentive programs for 2G subscribers switching to 4G.
Accordingly, Viettel has launched many lines of feature phones and cheap 4G smartphones with a preferential policy of subsidizing up to 50% on some cheap 4G models with calling features (from only 290 thousand VND/device).
MobiFone also allows customers to exchange from a 2G feature phone to a 4G feature phone or smartphone and will receive support for up to 50% of the device's value (Maximum 1 million VND).
From January 9, 2024 to September 15, 2024, users will have the opportunity to immediately receive 30GB of free high-speed data from Vinaphone network when converting to 2G devices.
Users who are using 2G devices and receive a message inviting them to participate in VinaPhone's promotion when switching to 3G/4G/5G devices will immediately receive 30GB of Data (1GB/day), to use for 30 days.
Turn off 2G waves to bring people to Digital Environment
The complete shutdown of 2G waves aims to utilize frequency resources for modern telecommunications technologies, in line with development trends.
One of the benefits of turning off 2G is to promote 100% of Vietnamese people to use smartphones. At that time, people will have access to diverse digital services, while creating a high-quality digital environment for the National Digital Transformation strategy in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The transition to 4G also helps users access high-speed Internet, conveniently using convenient online services in education, healthcare, payment, entertainment, etc.
Up to now, major carriers have turned off 2G and 3G waves in low-demand areas and prepared the necessary conditions to be ready for this roadmap.
In preparation for the 2G shutdown plan, Viettel has pioneered widespread 4G coverage to all rural, mountainous and remote island areas and tested 5G broadcasting in many provinces/cities across the country, ensuring that people will not have interrupted communications when 2G technology is officially discontinued.
Mr. Nguyen Trong Tinh - Deputy General Director of Viettel Telecom said that turning off 2G waves is a very correct policy, in line with the trend and needs of customers and society in the current period. "This is an important turning point in the development of telecommunications infrastructure in Vietnam as well as the key to opening up Digital Life, Digital Future with many new utilities and opportunities for people," Mr. Tinh emphasized.
According to Mr. Le Mai Son - Deputy Head of MobiFone Communications Department, this network currently has about 3 million 2G subscribers. Mr. Son said that MobiFone has turned off 2G waves in areas with low traffic. Before turning off, this network had a plan to assess the impact on people, the implementation is carried out according to a specific roadmap.
Sharing more, MobiFone representative said that during the process of implementing the 2G shutdown, this unit sent messages, called, and assigned local staff to take care of users, avoiding the situation where users turn on their phones only to find out there is no network. When customers have a need, MobiFone will support users to change their 2G SIM to 4G for free.
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